1 - Marc-Andre ter Ansplant

[AnnieSureshot]

It looks like he's got his birthday present from Bravo today then...

 

[Jamie Cal]

Let him play the league next year. We need a younger average age and he's quality. We can't afford to lose him as Bravo could decline at any time at his age and then we won't be able to afford Courtois or whoever.

Why?

 

[frog-fcb]

He must have made a hell of a wish when he was blowing out his bday candles

 

[Barcaman]

Lucho could have played him for his birthday. That little gesture would mean a lot to the German.

 

[God Serena]

4 minutes of playing time is hardly much of a gift. Especially for a goalkeeper for Barca who spends most of his time not doing anything.

Bravo had discomfort. All there is to it really.

 

[Alarcón]

Why?

Because it's too high?

 

[El Guaje]

Why?

Because having a team full of (important) grandpas and uncles is not good. There is a risk of them starting to decline at the same time or during a small time interval and in that case, many of them would have to be replaced at the same time.

Bravo 33
Alves, Mathieu, Iniesta 32
Mascherano 31 (turning 32 very soon)
Suarez, Pique, Arda 29
Messi 28 (turning 29 very soon ... God i feel like it was yesterday when Barca won the 1st treble and he was only 21.... )

Replace some of the important names with

MaTS 24
Roberto 24
Marquinhos/Laporte/Stones 21
Pogba 23

Looks much better, doesnt it? Incredible young players that you can build upon for years to come.

 

[Jamie Cal]

Because it's too high?

So being younger directly equals a better team, got'cha.

Basing a guy's position on age when his age is statistically when goalkeepers peak, got'cha.

 

[Barcaman]

We need to build from Masia because that's the only thing that works for us.
That being said, Stegen is here for 2 years now and knows the language. If Lucho plans long term then it would be wise to switch roles between keepers next season.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Trying to decrease team average age by switching GKs will be basically fooling ourselves tbh .GKs run the least and usually don't get fatigue or worn out .
Nit trying to argue against GK switching .but I just don't get that execuse .if we need decrease average age it need to be done more for outfield players

 

[Barcaman]

So, does his cameo today qualify for clean sheet stat?

 

[Jamie Cal]

Trying to decrease team average age by switching GKs will be basically fooling ourselves tbh .GKs run the least and usually don't get fatigue or worn out .
Nit trying to argue against GK switching .but I just don't get that execuse .if we need decrease average age it need to be done more for outfield players

That's exactly my point. I'm fine with the 'we need to start buying some younger guys', and i'm fine with wanting MATS in goal, but the reasoning has to be better than age.

 

[DonAK]

That's exactly my point. I'm fine with the 'we need to start buying some younger guys', and i'm fine with wanting MATS in goal, but the reasoning has to be better than age.

MAtS is a bigger hit with the ladies and will sell more shirts.

 

[Jombi]

Casillas declined sharply as soon as he hit 30 so this idea that goalies play until 40 no problem is not something we can count on.

 

[God Serena]

Casillas declined sharply as soon as he hit 30 so this idea that goalies play until 40 no problem is not something we can count on.

On the side of reason here, Bravo probably won't have to worry about Lucho fucking him the way Mourinho did Casillas. Getting benched long-term for a keeper so bad he got released is not something that happens very often.